Where There's A Will

When you start the week bonding with Mr. Deck Chair and end it wearing snow pants, a winter jacket and hand warmers stuffed in your boots... you know you're in Wisconsin.

It's an understatement to say it was a chilly night for high school football. But it's also an understatement to say the Assumption vs. Owen-Withee matchup was an important game to attend.

Both teams were 6-2 and already in the playoffs. The Royals wanted a win to have home-field advantage to start the playoffs. The Blackhawks wanted to win for that same reason and more. This season, they haven't just been playing to win. They've been playing to win for a teammate, a star senior who now sits on the sidelines in a wheelchair.

In July, 18-year-old Will Maki was diagnosed with bone cancer and, subsequently, had to have his left leg amputated a month ago. There's no way he or his family or friends would have predicted this turn of events for this popular boy entering his senior year. And there's no way any of them could have predicted the outpouring of support across the Wisconsin Football Family. 

Locally, community supporters have sold t-shirts (like the one above), sweatshirts and more to raise money to cover medical expenses. Beyond that, countless school districts near and far – including Siren near my hometown – have held fundraisers to support the "Will Power Fundraiser."

Tonight, as Will watched from the sidelines, we all were reminded that there are so many things more important than winning or losing. As a mother of a healthy senior in high school, I can tell you that I wouldn't trade places with Will's mom for the world. I cannot take that gift for granted. And certainly won't.

Despite our loss tonight, the entire Royal football family came away feeling like winners, because we were there to support Will, pray with him after the game and present him with nearly $2,000 we've raised through our football 50/50 raffles this fall. It's the least we can do and, likely, the most we can do.

It's unfortunate that sometimes it takes tragedy to bring people together and prompt them to think outside of themselves, but it is worth it to see young people bond through an earnestness to help a "brother" who needs it and a new-found gratitude for what they have themselves.

Warm hearts can certainly ward off a chill.